This document provides an analysis of the opening sequence of the James Bond film Skyfall. It summarizes the key elements of mise-en-scene, iconography, sound, editing, lighting, and camerawork in the opening credits and first scenes. The sequence uses ominous imagery and a brooding musical score to set a mysterious tone. It also employs fast editing, dim lighting, and point-of-view shots that draw the audience into James Bond's vulnerable state as he sinks beneath the surface.

2. Introduction
Skyfall is the twenty-third film in the James Bond series,
produced by EON Productions and distributed by MGM
and Sony Pictures Entertainment through its Columbia
Pictures division. It features Daniel Craig's third
performance as James Bond, and Javier Bardem as
Raoul Silva, the film's antagonist.

3. Mise-en-Scene
This shot is of falling knives which turn into grave stones. This is
significant as it could foreshadow future events within the film
before being introduced to any character and helps give
narrative. The objects connote death due to them turning into
graves.
The use of mirrors as well as silhouettes in this shot allows the
audience to see the protagonist and how he is dressed. The fact
that is basically shows him shooting himself showing that the film is
violent.
The protagonist, Bond, is shown to be wearing a suit throughout the
entirety of the opening sequence. This gives the audience a sense of
his authority, power and professionalism.

4. Iconography
Iconography has been
used throughout this
opening scene but only
when appropriate. For
example gravestones,
guns, knives, skulls and
blood are used in order to
highlight the themes of
conflict, mystery betrayal
and death.

5. Sound
To begin, we hear the classic James Bond themed music. The
song starts off quietly then gradually builds up into a crescendo
as the protagonist, James Bond, is being pulled further down to
the depths, this creates a dramatic effect and adds to the
tension.
The non-diegetic soundtrack used is the song “Skyfall” by
Adele. The lyrics begin by saying “This is the end.” which links
with the shot of the protagonist drowning. This creates an
enigma as he could possibly be dead which makes the audience
want to watch on. This is then followed by the lyrics “Hold your
breath and count to ten” which relates to the shots of the
protagonist disappearing into the black hole. The soundtrack
reflects the overall narrative which intrigues the audience. The
opening sequence also includes some diegetic sounds like gun
shots and crashes which are usual conventions expected in an
action/thriller.

6. Editing & Lighting
The sequence contains fast paced editing to
help keep the audience interested from the
outset There is also fade to black transitions
which have been used to distinguish between
the different scenes.
There is also a use of CGI editing when the
knives drop into gravestones and when Bond
enters the black hole.
The lighting in the opening credits is dim and
low key which is used to add to the mysterious
mood however there are some shots that
include high key lighting to contrast between
the two.
The titles are also white which are able to
contrast the dark low key backgrounds.
Low Key
High Key
The lighting is effective as it is mostly low key lighting which links with the idea of the film being a thriller and also
creates the mood and the atmosphere for the film..

7. Camerawork
Establishing shot of James Bond drowning sets the location as in the sea. This is a low
angle shot, which usually connotes authority, however in this shot the audience are shown
the back of him as he sinks. This suggests that he is most vulnerable and doesn’t have
control. Then a tracking shot is used followed by a long shot which lets the audience see
the protagonists face and his emotion.
Here there is a close up shot of a woman's hand reaching out to the
protagonist’s hand. Perhaps this could to be to pull him down further this
illustrates he may have enemies that are trying to pull him down with them. This
could also be seen as a disruption to the equilibrium.
A high angle is used as the audience see the protagonist disappear into the
black hole. From this, the audience can infer about his vulnerability and because
he is going into a black hole he has perhaps come to the end of his journey.

8. This mid shot is of the protagonist in the form of a cardboard cut-out with
blood coming out of his shoulder suggesting that he as been shot. The colour
red also implies danger. The cut out is in the form of a gun range target which
connotes that he is the person everyone is trying to kill.
A close up is used here which shows she is an important character
because the framing helps her fill the screen making sure she is the main
focus. The fact that she is the only other character in the opening
sequence other than the protagonist foreshadows romance within the
film. After this a panning shot is used to show a shadow of her whole
body.
A Point Of View shot is used here to make the audience feel as
though they are in the protagonists shoes and that they are
sinking too the depths this heightens the verisimilitude of the
scene and the enigma as they want to know what happens after
he has gone through the whole.
An Extreme Close Up of the eye of James Bond is used at the ending of the
sequence. The camera zooms into his pupils suggesting to the audience
that the film is portrayed through his POV. The close up shots add emotion
in terms or the audiences understanding of the film.